The Art of Texturing, Part 1, The Design Brief : Art Direction, References and Methods.

Here’s a side project I’ve been working on, on and off, over the past few years. It started as a supporting document for my mentoring sessions and gradually evolved into a series of videos exploring artistic principles that are completely software-agnostic. The title isn't meant to suggest that this is the way to create materials. Rather, it's a reminder that 3D creation isn't just about software or execution, it's also about the artistic thinking behind it.
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There are plenty of fantastic tutorials and technical tips out there on how to create data or achieve specific effects. But I rarely found anything that focuses on the thought process behind it, especially when it comes to materials.

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Why does one material or asset look better than another? When do you know it's time to stop working on something? And what are those fundamental art principles that everyone talks about, but rarely takes the time to define ?

Over the years, through both my art education and my career in the game industry, I've been fortunate enough to learn these principles and to share them relentlessly with my colleagues. (Sorry to everyone I've bothered every minute of every day )
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Here, you'll find a framework that helps me approach and communicate about material creation, and even asset creation in general. It revolves around five main concepts: Design Brief, Core Materials, Layering, Material Response, and Exaggeration. This first set of videos focuses on the Design Brief.

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Everything I share here is based on my own experience and is, by nature, subjective. Some of it may resonate with you, some of it may not. Take what helps you, leave the rest.

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Happy texturing!